Darling gets new number two

The treasury has a new chief secretary in the form of former housing minister
and wife to secretary Ed Balls, Yvette Cooper.

The 38-year-old moves into her first full cabinet job, prompted by Gordon
Brown’s ministerial reshuffle amidst Peter Hain’s departure.

Cooper, a former economics columnist for the Independent, is to be the
chancellor’s number two, and another addition to the PM’s inner circle, theGuardian
reported.

Other moves included that of 37-year-old culture secretary James Purnell,
promoted to Hain’s job in the Department for Work and Pensions while Andy Burham
moves from the Treasury to become culture secretary.